Mickelson, Garcia commit to Buick Classic
BY iseekgolf.com | US PGA Tour | 2004 Buick Classic | General | 21 May 2004
It won’t be easy with the commitments of 2004 Masters champion Phil Mickelson and 2004 EDS Byron Nelson Championship winner Sergio Garcia, but Jonathan Kaye is looking forward to defending his title at the 2004 Buick Classic at Westchester Country Club, June 7-13.
As Kaye’s eagle-putt on the first playoff hole rolled in for his first PGA TOUR victory at last year’s event, his season and PGA TOUR career began to roll as well. After winning the 2003 Buick Classic, Kaye went on to a enjoy his best year as a professional, earning more than US$2 million in a season for the first time in his career. Kaye finished his year with a solid T7 at The TOUR Championship presented by Coca-Cola.
His level of play continued into 2004 with a victory at this year’s FBR Open near Phoenix.
“It was definitely a confidence booster for me getting my first win at the Buick Classic. I played strong the rest of the way last year and started off this season strong with a win in Phoenix,” Kaye said. "I’m looking forward to building on the success I’ve had since last year.
“I always look forward to going back to the Buick Classic. It’s my favorite tournament of the year, it always has been,” he added. “I love Westchester Country Club, the city and the people we stay with. I love everything about the week.”
Kaye’s competition continues to get more difficult with commitments from Mickelson and Garcia.
Mickelson has been one of the hottest players on TOUR in 2004. With 10 top-10 finishes in just 12 starts so far this year, Mickelson has already surpassed his seven top-10 finishes from 2003. Mickelson answered all doubters in April with his second victory of the year and his first Major championship with a birdie on the final hole at Augusta National to win the 2004 Masters Tournament.
“We look forward to hosting the best players in the world,” said Peter Mele, Executive Director. ""Phil Mickelson is playing as well as anyone right now. We know the New York golf fans are looking forward to cheer him on here at the Buick Classic."
Sergio Garcia will return to the Buick Classic as the leading money winner in tournament history, with more than US$1 million earned in his four appearances at Westchester. The 2001 champion has never finished worse than T12 and has finished in the top-4 three out of four times. In 16 rounds at the Buick Classic, Garcia has shot over-par only once. His stroke average of 68.625 is the best in tournament history with a minimum of eight rounds played.
Garcia comes to the Buick Classic with a win at the 2004 EDS Byron Nelson Championship, snapping a two-year winless streak on the PGA TOUR.
“It’s great to see Sergio Garcia at the top of his game again. Golf is more fun when Sergio is playing well,” Mele said. “He certainly has enjoyed success here at the Buick Classic, and we expect he will continue to succeed here again this year.”
Source – Buick Classic
